Recommend me a good autobiography

[tuscaneer]

Tango13 said:

Arese said:

tuscaneer said:

Autobiography of pre-war german heavyweight champion max schmelling. He was the first man to beat Joe Louis and the return match the most politically important boxing match of all time. A fascinating insight into a man who in the space of a few years went from a popular champion in america to a hated Nazi symbol of "Aryan supremacy". Louis stopped Max in this fight and his victory was a morale booster for the allied troops. Hitler famously stopped the live broadcast of the fight on radio in Germany when he realised Schmelling was losing and on his return to Germany was forced into front line operations as punishment.

During this period Schmelling (who was never a Nazi) was hiding Jewish families on his farm and aiding their escape across the border knowing he would be killed if found out. After the war his Jewish manager (who he had never disowned throughout the war) sorted him a deal out that meant he became the president of the Coca Cola corporation in Germany. Only died a few years ago at the age of 99 years and his story is inspirational to say the least.

I fixed it for others. I'm kind like that.

I believe Schmelling paid for Joe Louis' funeral after he died in poverty

yes,that is a true story.he didn't broadcast it and nobody found out for years that he had done this.after the war max and joe met up frequently and were firm friends right up until joe's death in the 80's

[cal72]

If i wrote one it would be a best seller.

Because it would have plenty of blank pages for you to doodle in.

I really am a boring ste

[Digger]

Interesting thread. Persuaded me to dust down Mr Nice, as it's been sitting unread for a year or so. Might try Peter Ustinov or a Spike Milligan book after.

Edited by Digger on Tuesday 24th August 23:28

[Glen320]

chris walker's book is brilliant,one of the funniest i've ever read,chris evan's,frank skinner's and gazza's are also well worth a read

[otolith]

I think appalling people make the best reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Clark_Diaries

[nobodyknows]

after reading this thread I dug General Sir Peter De La Billieres autobiography out from one of the many boxes in the garage & have almost finished it. Just in time as it turns out because Amazon have just delivered 2 you good people have recommended, Douglas Bader & Guy Gibson. Luckily my OH is away with the kids this week so I get plenty of quiet time!

[ascayman]

a million little pieces - james frey

[Vvroom]

Well as a result of this threat I bought Eddie Jordan's autobiography.

Just finished it It was excellent; the best F1 autobiog I've read, and I've read a few.

I have Murray Walkers on order now. too.

[blindswelledrat]

ascayman said:

a million little pieces - james frey

Boring boring boring boring. 200 pages of "ooo look at poor me. I took drugs and it was really hard"
Plus I think it turned out to be a load of bks didn't it?

[blindswelledrat]

ON topic I recommend a book called "No shortcuts to the top" by a chap called Ed Visteurs.
He is a bloke who has climbed all 14 8000metre mountains. An absolutely fascinating and riveting read

[War Pig]

Johnny Cash.

[nobodyknows]

Something slightly different, has anybody else read The Diving Bell & The Butterfly? I read it about 10yrs ago & seem to remember it was very good.